Programme Manager – ECOS Project at Neem Foundation

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

• The Programme Manager will oversee the day-to-day delivery of the peacebuilding project across the five states. The role involves turning the approved activity schedule into a practical calendar, managing a twelve-person field team, coordinating with partners, and keeping a clear view of progress and risks in every location.
• This is a hands-on role with a busy schedule and a fixed end date. We are looking for someone who is organised, decisive, able to hold colleagues and partners accountable without damaging relationships, and willing to spend significant time in the field.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Planning and delivery

• Maintain the project workplan and turn it into a practical calendar for each cluster, making sure training, field visits and network meetings are properly sequenced.
• Coordinate the Community Security Training Institute and the training that follows it.
• Track delivery against the plan, identify slippage early, and propose adjustments before they become problems.

Partner management

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with partner organisations.
• Carry out quality assurance visits to committees and partner teams, and act on what those visits find.
• Keep partners informed of changes, decisions and donor requirements, and make sure their questions reach the right person quickly.

Team management

• Line manage the field team of six Multimedia Officers and six First Responder Field Staff, including workplanning, supervision, performance management and professional development.
• Coordinate the technical consultants supporting communications and monitoring work.

Monitoring, reporting and learning

• Prepare clear monthly, quarterly and annual narrative reports for the consortium lead and donor.
• Work with the MEL Consultant and partner M&E officers to ensure data is collected consistently, used to improve delivery, and available when reporting falls due.
• Document results as they happen, including changes in community security, religious freedom and interfaith cooperation.

Finance and compliance

• Work with the Senior Finance Officer on budget tracking, forecasting and expenditure against plan, flagging variances early.
• Ensure activities are delivered in line with donor rules and Neem Foundation policy, and that documentation is complete and audit-ready.

Representation and coordination

• Represent Neem Foundation in consortium meetings.
• Support engagement with national and state institutions.

Security and duty of care

• Coordinate movement planning and security clearance for field activity across the five states, and adjust the calendar when access changes.
• Maintain attention to the wellbeing of field staff working in insecure and emotionally demanding environments.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• A degree in peace and conflict studies, social sciences, development studies, international relations or a related field. A postgraduate qualification is an advantage.
• At least 10 years’ experience in donor-funded programming, including a minimum of two years holding management responsibility for a workplan, a budget and a team.
• Demonstrable experience of peacebuilding, early warning and early response, community security or conflict prevention programming in Nigeria.
• Experience managing subawards or working closely with community-based partner organisations.
• Strong written English, with the ability to produce donor-quality reports that need little editing.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently across North Central and Northwest Nigeria.
• Working knowledge of Hausa.

Desirable

• Direct working experience in Benue, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Katsina or Zamfara.
• Experience working with faith leaders and traditional authorities on interreligious issues.
• Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation systems and digital data collection tools.
• Knowledge of Hausa or Tiv would be an advantage.